Plug partner

Fuel cell developer Plug Power Inc. is partnering with a component supplier to design and build a prototype of a different type of fuel cell.

Latham-based Plug and NexTech Materials Ltd. of Ohio expect to hire eight scientists and engineers to work on the solid oxide fuel cell, or SOFC. The systems can produce relatively clean power using much more conventional fuel, such as natural gas, propane, or even diesel and gasoline.

Plug has been making proton-exchange membrane systems, which operate on clean but expensive hydrogen.

The Ohio Department of Development is providing seed funding and Case Western University will develop testing methods to speed up the process of getting units into the field.